Alan Ayckbourn: Published Contributions
The Contributions page highlights written contributions Alan Ayckbourn has made to publications by other authors as well as to theatre programmes. This list should not be considered definitive as a complete record of Alan Ayckbourn's contributions does not exist. It also does not include published interviews with or articles about Alan, details of which can found in the Interviews / Articles section.Published Articles (chronological)
○ Young Elizabethan magazine
December 1954
First published work, a poem called Dawn
○ Relatively Speaking
Evans Bros, 1968, ISBN 0237494833
Article: Foreword
○ The Author magazine
1970 (issue unknown)
Article: Provincial Playwriting
○ Yorkshire Magazine
1972 (issue unknown)
Article: Beside The Seaside
○ The Norman Conquests
Chatto & Windus, 1975, ISBN 0701121033
Article: Preface
○ Three Plays
Chatto & Windus, 1977, ISBN 070112203X
Article: Preface
○ Over 21 magazine
1977 (issue unknown)
Article: My First Job
○ Amateur Stage magazine
1978 (issue unknown)
Article: Playing Comedy And Farce
○ Amateur Stage magazine
1978 (unknown)
Article: Writing The Norman Conquests
○ Joking Apart And Other Plays
Chatto & Windus, 1979, ISBN 0701124024
Article: Preface
○ The Happiness Book
Pan Books, 1980, ISBN 0-330-26208-4
Includes a paragraph on happiness
○ Sisterly Feelings & Taking Steps
Chatto & Windus, 1981, ISBN 0701125616
Article: Preface
○ Stephen Joseph: Theatre Pioneer & Provocateur
Bloomsbury, 2013, ISBN 9781408185674
Article: Foreword
○ How To Manage
Heinemann, 1983, ISBN 9780434922475
Article: How To Manage
○ Greenwich Theatre Newsletter
1984
Article: Theatrical Confessions
○ My Favourite Poem
Corgi, 1985, ISBN 0552127132
Reprints favourite poem (AA Milne's March Time)
○ Occasional Poets
Viking, 1986, ISBN 0670802093
Article: Seven Fragments (seven short poems)
○ Radio York Magazine
1988 (issue unknown)
Article: Ayckbourn's Airwaves
○ Sunday Telegraph
21 February 1988
Article: Ayckbourn's National Service.
○ The Times
12 November 1988
Article: Who Should Pay The Player
○ Sisterly Feelings
Longman, 1991, ISBN 058201638X
Article: Writing About Sisters.
○ Absurd Person Singular
Longman, 1991, ISBN 058201638X
Article: The Writer On Writing
○ The Independent On Sunday
26 July 1992
Article: How We Met (with Roger Glossop)
○ The Observer
6 March 1994
Discusses working with Harold Pinter
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 1
Faber & Faber, 1995, ISBN 0571176801
Article: Foreword
○ Life In The Farce Lane
Andre Deutsch, 1995, ISBN 9780233989365
Article: Farce
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 2
Faber & Faber, 1998, ISBN 0571194575
Article: Foreword
○ Newsround
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2000
Article: A Word On Whenever
○ The Times
30 September 2000
Article: Culture 2000
○ Lighting Techniques for Theatre In The Round
Entertainment Tech., 2000, ISBN 1904031013
Article: Foreword
○ Damsels In Distress
Faber & Faber, 2002, ISBN 057121648X
Article: Foreword
○ Orvin - Champion Of Champions
Faber & Faber, 2002, ISBN 0571221718
Article: Foreword
○ Auditions Speeches for Young Actors
A & C Black, 2002, ISBN 978-0713661606
Article: Out On Your Own
○ Stage Management: The Essential Handbook
Nick Hearn Books, 2003, ISBN 9781854597342
Article: Foreword
○ Gambon: A Life in Acting
Nick Hearn Books, 2004, ISBN 1-85459-773-6
Article: Conversation About Gambon
○ Plays For Children 2
Faber & Faber, 2004, ISBN 0571220800
Article: Foreword
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 3
Faber & Faber, 2005, ISBN 0571226884
Article: Foreword
○ White Truffle Yorkshire Puddings
La Trifula, 2005, ISBN 9780954975302
Article: Foreword
○ Remembering Arthur Miller
Methuen, 2005, ISBN 0413775526
Article: Alan Ayckbourn
○ Acting Characters (first edition)
Methuen, 2006, ISBN 0713675861
Article: Foreword
○ Newsround
September 2009, Stephen Joseph Theatre
Article: SJT Memories
○ Daily Telegraph
26 April 2010
Article: Heaven On Earth
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4
Faber & Faber, 2011, ISBN 978-0571274611
Article: Foreword
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 5
Faber & Faber, 2011, ISBN 978-0571274628
Article: Foreword
○ Who Was Betty?
Bettys & Taylors, 2012, ISBN 9780955091438
Article: Who Was Betty?
○ Interactions
Roast Books, 2012, ISBN 9781906894115
Article: Random Thoughts After A Stroke.
○ St Catherine's, Oxford: A Pen Portrait
Third Millenium, 2012, ISBN 9781906507381
Holding the Chair Of Contemporary Theatre
○ Every Picture Tells A Story
North Yorkshire County Council, 2013
Foreword
○ Stephen Joseph: Theatre Pioneer & Provocateur
Bloomsbury, 2013, ISBN 9781408185674
Foreword
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 6
Faber, 2018, ISBN 978-0571348282
Article: Foreword
December 1954
First published work, a poem called Dawn
○ Relatively Speaking
Evans Bros, 1968, ISBN 0237494833
Article: Foreword
○ The Author magazine
1970 (issue unknown)
Article: Provincial Playwriting
○ Yorkshire Magazine
1972 (issue unknown)
Article: Beside The Seaside
○ The Norman Conquests
Chatto & Windus, 1975, ISBN 0701121033
Article: Preface
○ Three Plays
Chatto & Windus, 1977, ISBN 070112203X
Article: Preface
○ Over 21 magazine
1977 (issue unknown)
Article: My First Job
○ Amateur Stage magazine
1978 (issue unknown)
Article: Playing Comedy And Farce
○ Amateur Stage magazine
1978 (unknown)
Article: Writing The Norman Conquests
○ Joking Apart And Other Plays
Chatto & Windus, 1979, ISBN 0701124024
Article: Preface
○ The Happiness Book
Pan Books, 1980, ISBN 0-330-26208-4
Includes a paragraph on happiness
○ Sisterly Feelings & Taking Steps
Chatto & Windus, 1981, ISBN 0701125616
Article: Preface
○ Stephen Joseph: Theatre Pioneer & Provocateur
Bloomsbury, 2013, ISBN 9781408185674
Article: Foreword
○ How To Manage
Heinemann, 1983, ISBN 9780434922475
Article: How To Manage
○ Greenwich Theatre Newsletter
1984
Article: Theatrical Confessions
○ My Favourite Poem
Corgi, 1985, ISBN 0552127132
Reprints favourite poem (AA Milne's March Time)
○ Occasional Poets
Viking, 1986, ISBN 0670802093
Article: Seven Fragments (seven short poems)
○ Radio York Magazine
1988 (issue unknown)
Article: Ayckbourn's Airwaves
○ Sunday Telegraph
21 February 1988
Article: Ayckbourn's National Service.
○ The Times
12 November 1988
Article: Who Should Pay The Player
○ Sisterly Feelings
Longman, 1991, ISBN 058201638X
Article: Writing About Sisters.
○ Absurd Person Singular
Longman, 1991, ISBN 058201638X
Article: The Writer On Writing
○ The Independent On Sunday
26 July 1992
Article: How We Met (with Roger Glossop)
○ The Observer
6 March 1994
Discusses working with Harold Pinter
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 1
Faber & Faber, 1995, ISBN 0571176801
Article: Foreword
○ Life In The Farce Lane
Andre Deutsch, 1995, ISBN 9780233989365
Article: Farce
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 2
Faber & Faber, 1998, ISBN 0571194575
Article: Foreword
○ Newsround
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2000
Article: A Word On Whenever
○ The Times
30 September 2000
Article: Culture 2000
○ Lighting Techniques for Theatre In The Round
Entertainment Tech., 2000, ISBN 1904031013
Article: Foreword
○ Damsels In Distress
Faber & Faber, 2002, ISBN 057121648X
Article: Foreword
○ Orvin - Champion Of Champions
Faber & Faber, 2002, ISBN 0571221718
Article: Foreword
○ Auditions Speeches for Young Actors
A & C Black, 2002, ISBN 978-0713661606
Article: Out On Your Own
○ Stage Management: The Essential Handbook
Nick Hearn Books, 2003, ISBN 9781854597342
Article: Foreword
○ Gambon: A Life in Acting
Nick Hearn Books, 2004, ISBN 1-85459-773-6
Article: Conversation About Gambon
○ Plays For Children 2
Faber & Faber, 2004, ISBN 0571220800
Article: Foreword
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 3
Faber & Faber, 2005, ISBN 0571226884
Article: Foreword
○ White Truffle Yorkshire Puddings
La Trifula, 2005, ISBN 9780954975302
Article: Foreword
○ Remembering Arthur Miller
Methuen, 2005, ISBN 0413775526
Article: Alan Ayckbourn
○ Acting Characters (first edition)
Methuen, 2006, ISBN 0713675861
Article: Foreword
○ Newsround
September 2009, Stephen Joseph Theatre
Article: SJT Memories
○ Daily Telegraph
26 April 2010
Article: Heaven On Earth
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 4
Faber & Faber, 2011, ISBN 978-0571274611
Article: Foreword
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 5
Faber & Faber, 2011, ISBN 978-0571274628
Article: Foreword
○ Who Was Betty?
Bettys & Taylors, 2012, ISBN 9780955091438
Article: Who Was Betty?
○ Interactions
Roast Books, 2012, ISBN 9781906894115
Article: Random Thoughts After A Stroke.
○ St Catherine's, Oxford: A Pen Portrait
Third Millenium, 2012, ISBN 9781906507381
Holding the Chair Of Contemporary Theatre
○ Every Picture Tells A Story
North Yorkshire County Council, 2013
Foreword
○ Stephen Joseph: Theatre Pioneer & Provocateur
Bloomsbury, 2013, ISBN 9781408185674
Foreword
○ Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 6
Faber, 2018, ISBN 978-0571348282
Article: Foreword
Programme / Playbill Articles
○ Gaslight
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1961
Article: Gaslight
○ David Copperfield
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1961
Article: David Copperfield
○ Two For The Seesaw
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1961
Article: Two For The Seesaw
○ The Caretaker
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1962
Article: The Caretaker
○ A Thief In Time
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1962
Article: A Thief In Time
○ Christmas V Mastermind
Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 1962
Article: Christmas V Mastermind
○ Standing Room Only
Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 1963
Article: Standing Room Only
○ Relatively Speaking
Theatre Royal, Windsor, 1968
Article: Relatively Speaking
○ Mr Whatnot
Civic Theatre, Leeds, 1968
Article: Mr Whatnot
○ How The Other Half Loves
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1969
Article: How The Other Half Loves
○ Mr Whatnot
Castle Theatre, Farnham, 1969
Article: Mr Whatnot
○ The Story So Far...
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1970
Article: The Story So Far...
○ Relatively Speaking
Civic Theatre, Leeds, 1970
Article: Relatively Speaking
○ The Norman Conquests
Library Theatre, 1973
Article: A Weekend View Of The Norman Conquest
○ How The Other Half Loves
Theatre Royal, Windsor, 1973
Article: How The Other Half Loves
○ The Norman Conquests
Greenwich Theatre, London, 1974
Article: The Norman Conquests
○ All The Best People
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1976
Article: 21 Years Old!
○ Just Between Ourselves
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1976
Article: First Plays And How To Cope
○ Just Between Ourselves
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1976
Article: Happiness Is A Company
○ Mr Whatnot
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1976
Article: Mr Whatnot
○ Relatively Speaking
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1977
Article: Relatively Speaking
○ Bedroom Farce
National Theatre, London, 1977
Article: John Heilpern talks to Alan Ayckbourn
○ Family Circles
Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, 1978
Article: Family Circles
○ Sisterly Feelings
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1979
Article: Sisterly Feelings
○ Taking Steps
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1979
Article: Taking Steps
○ Intimate Exchanges
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1982
Article: Intimate Exchanges
○ Intimate Exchanges
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1982
Article: Characters
○ Way Upstream
National Theatre, London, 1982
Article: The Author Talks To The Director
○ It Could Be Any One Of Us
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1983
Article: It Could Be Any One Of Us
○ A Chorus Of Disapproval
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1984
Article: A Chorus Of Disapproval
○ Tons Of Money
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1985
Article: Tons Of Money
○ Time And Time Again
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1986
Article: Time And Time Again
○ The Revengers’ Comedies
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1989
Article: Ayckbourn At 50
○ Callisto 5
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1990
Article: Dedication
○ Time Of My Life
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1992
Article: Time Was...
○ Dreams From A Summer House
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1992
Article: Dreams From A Summer House
○ Mr A’s Amazing Maze Plays
National Theatre, London, 1993
Article: Live And Dangerous
○ Communicating Doors
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1994
Article: A Little Thing Entitled...
○ Just Between Ourselves
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1996
Article: Twenty Years At Westwood
○ By Jeeves
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1996
Article: Meeting With A Living Legend
○ By Jeeves
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1996
Article: Dreams Can Come True
○ Absent Friends
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1997
Article: What’s The Time?
○ A Doll’s House
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1998
Article: Why Ibsen?
○ The Forest
National Theatre, London, 1999
Article: The Forest
○ House & Garden
National Theatre, London, 2000
Article: House & Garden
○ GamePlan
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: Damsels In Distress
○ GamePlan
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: Schoolday Memories
○ FlatSpin
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: FlatSpin
○ RolePlay
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: It’s My Party (And I’ll Untie If I Want To)
○ Joking Apart
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2002
Article: Joking Apart
○ Damsels In Distress
Gala Theatre, Durham, 2002
Article: Damsels In Distress
○ Damsels In Distress
Vaudeville Theatre, London, 2002
Article: Damsels In Distress
○ Snake In The Grass
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2002
Article: Things That Go Bump
○ Sugar Daddies
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2003
Article: The Gentle Art Of Self Deception
○ Private Fears In Public Places
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2004
Article: Private Fears In Public Places
○ Absent Friends
Salisbury Playhouse, 2007
Article: About You And Your Work
○ My Wonderful Day
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2009
Article: Welcome To Winnie’s World
○ Communicating Doors
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2010
Article: Communicating Doors
○ Life Of Riley
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2010
Article: In Order Of Non-Appearance
○ Neighbourhood Watch
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2011
Article: A Playwright’s Guide To Survival
○ Woman In Mind
Brazil, 2011
Article: Woman In Mind
○ Absent Friends
Harold Pinter Theatre, London, 2012
Article: In Sympathy
○ Surprises
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2012
Article: Surprises
○ Ayckbourn 2013 Season
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2013
Articles: The Company Spirit; Arrivals & Departures
○ Confusions
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2015 / Bloomsbury 2015
Article: A Word From The Writer & Director
○ The Karaoke Theatre Company
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2016
Interior content
○ Henceforward…
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2016
Origins Of Life (according to the author)
○ Better Off Dead
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2018
Excerpt from Final Fanfare (Middlebrass 33)
○ Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2019
Welcome to Ecraf
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1961
Article: Gaslight
○ David Copperfield
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1961
Article: David Copperfield
○ Two For The Seesaw
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1961
Article: Two For The Seesaw
○ The Caretaker
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1962
Article: The Caretaker
○ A Thief In Time
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1962
Article: A Thief In Time
○ Christmas V Mastermind
Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 1962
Article: Christmas V Mastermind
○ Standing Room Only
Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 1963
Article: Standing Room Only
○ Relatively Speaking
Theatre Royal, Windsor, 1968
Article: Relatively Speaking
○ Mr Whatnot
Civic Theatre, Leeds, 1968
Article: Mr Whatnot
○ How The Other Half Loves
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1969
Article: How The Other Half Loves
○ Mr Whatnot
Castle Theatre, Farnham, 1969
Article: Mr Whatnot
○ The Story So Far...
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1970
Article: The Story So Far...
○ Relatively Speaking
Civic Theatre, Leeds, 1970
Article: Relatively Speaking
○ The Norman Conquests
Library Theatre, 1973
Article: A Weekend View Of The Norman Conquest
○ How The Other Half Loves
Theatre Royal, Windsor, 1973
Article: How The Other Half Loves
○ The Norman Conquests
Greenwich Theatre, London, 1974
Article: The Norman Conquests
○ All The Best People
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1976
Article: 21 Years Old!
○ Just Between Ourselves
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1976
Article: First Plays And How To Cope
○ Just Between Ourselves
Library Theatre, Scarborough, 1976
Article: Happiness Is A Company
○ Mr Whatnot
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1976
Article: Mr Whatnot
○ Relatively Speaking
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1977
Article: Relatively Speaking
○ Bedroom Farce
National Theatre, London, 1977
Article: John Heilpern talks to Alan Ayckbourn
○ Family Circles
Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, 1978
Article: Family Circles
○ Sisterly Feelings
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1979
Article: Sisterly Feelings
○ Taking Steps
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1979
Article: Taking Steps
○ Intimate Exchanges
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1982
Article: Intimate Exchanges
○ Intimate Exchanges
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1982
Article: Characters
○ Way Upstream
National Theatre, London, 1982
Article: The Author Talks To The Director
○ It Could Be Any One Of Us
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1983
Article: It Could Be Any One Of Us
○ A Chorus Of Disapproval
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1984
Article: A Chorus Of Disapproval
○ Tons Of Money
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1985
Article: Tons Of Money
○ Time And Time Again
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1986
Article: Time And Time Again
○ The Revengers’ Comedies
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1989
Article: Ayckbourn At 50
○ Callisto 5
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1990
Article: Dedication
○ Time Of My Life
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1992
Article: Time Was...
○ Dreams From A Summer House
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1992
Article: Dreams From A Summer House
○ Mr A’s Amazing Maze Plays
National Theatre, London, 1993
Article: Live And Dangerous
○ Communicating Doors
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1994
Article: A Little Thing Entitled...
○ Just Between Ourselves
Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, 1996
Article: Twenty Years At Westwood
○ By Jeeves
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1996
Article: Meeting With A Living Legend
○ By Jeeves
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1996
Article: Dreams Can Come True
○ Absent Friends
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1997
Article: What’s The Time?
○ A Doll’s House
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 1998
Article: Why Ibsen?
○ The Forest
National Theatre, London, 1999
Article: The Forest
○ House & Garden
National Theatre, London, 2000
Article: House & Garden
○ GamePlan
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: Damsels In Distress
○ GamePlan
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: Schoolday Memories
○ FlatSpin
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: FlatSpin
○ RolePlay
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2001
Article: It’s My Party (And I’ll Untie If I Want To)
○ Joking Apart
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2002
Article: Joking Apart
○ Damsels In Distress
Gala Theatre, Durham, 2002
Article: Damsels In Distress
○ Damsels In Distress
Vaudeville Theatre, London, 2002
Article: Damsels In Distress
○ Snake In The Grass
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2002
Article: Things That Go Bump
○ Sugar Daddies
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2003
Article: The Gentle Art Of Self Deception
○ Private Fears In Public Places
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2004
Article: Private Fears In Public Places
○ Absent Friends
Salisbury Playhouse, 2007
Article: About You And Your Work
○ My Wonderful Day
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2009
Article: Welcome To Winnie’s World
○ Communicating Doors
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2010
Article: Communicating Doors
○ Life Of Riley
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2010
Article: In Order Of Non-Appearance
○ Neighbourhood Watch
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2011
Article: A Playwright’s Guide To Survival
○ Woman In Mind
Brazil, 2011
Article: Woman In Mind
○ Absent Friends
Harold Pinter Theatre, London, 2012
Article: In Sympathy
○ Surprises
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2012
Article: Surprises
○ Ayckbourn 2013 Season
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2013
Articles: The Company Spirit; Arrivals & Departures
○ Confusions
Stephen Joseph Theatre, 2015 / Bloomsbury 2015
Article: A Word From The Writer & Director
○ The Karaoke Theatre Company
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2016
Interior content
○ Henceforward…
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2016
Origins Of Life (according to the author)
○ Better Off Dead
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2018
Excerpt from Final Fanfare (Middlebrass 33)
○ Birthdays Past, Birthdays Present
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 2019
Welcome to Ecraf
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.